This post has been long in coming. And, I had been wondering if I should still follow my usual format when doing product reviews. Why you ask? I was hesitant given that both products I had to discontinue using due to the horrible effects on my skin. In addition, I did not want to have a negative effect on anyone's opinion of the products.
With that said, I will summarize what happened.
Madina African Black Soap w/Shea Butter and Aloe
I used this soap consistently for 7 weeks, both morning and evening, in an effort to ease the black heads I had been experiencing on both the right and left cheeks of my face.
As you can see from the picture, it is light green in colour. What you might not be able to pick up, are the small grainy flecks in the soap. The fragrance is quite subtle and the lather is rich.
While still using the soap, I had several breakouts and my face just looked a mess. Hence why you have seen no shots from me recently. Has been kinda depressing. It was not overly drying so that was a plus. My skin just began to look worse.
Humphrey's Witch Hazel
This astringent is not new to me as I use it to clean my scalp between washes. Growing up, we used it at home for the scrapes and minor scratches we would get whilst playing. However, it was recommended to me as a facial astringent this time around to help with the breakouts. This would have been around weeks 6 and 7 of using the Black Soap.
In this instance, I found the solution too drying on my skin and it made me scratch my face after use and even well into the day. I just could not stand it anymore and I stopped its use.
My Decision
To never use again. It's not worth using the Soap for the issues I had. Nor, will I use the Witch Hazel again as a facial astringent.
So you see, I did not want to cast a bad light on these products for anyone. My skin condition is not yours, so I hope you will not let this post deter you from trying these products.
Thanks, everyone!
With that said, I will summarize what happened.
Madina African Black Soap w/Shea Butter and Aloe
I used this soap consistently for 7 weeks, both morning and evening, in an effort to ease the black heads I had been experiencing on both the right and left cheeks of my face.
As you can see from the picture, it is light green in colour. What you might not be able to pick up, are the small grainy flecks in the soap. The fragrance is quite subtle and the lather is rich.
While still using the soap, I had several breakouts and my face just looked a mess. Hence why you have seen no shots from me recently. Has been kinda depressing. It was not overly drying so that was a plus. My skin just began to look worse.
Humphrey's Witch Hazel
This astringent is not new to me as I use it to clean my scalp between washes. Growing up, we used it at home for the scrapes and minor scratches we would get whilst playing. However, it was recommended to me as a facial astringent this time around to help with the breakouts. This would have been around weeks 6 and 7 of using the Black Soap.In this instance, I found the solution too drying on my skin and it made me scratch my face after use and even well into the day. I just could not stand it anymore and I stopped its use.
My Decision
To never use again. It's not worth using the Soap for the issues I had. Nor, will I use the Witch Hazel again as a facial astringent.
So you see, I did not want to cast a bad light on these products for anyone. My skin condition is not yours, so I hope you will not let this post deter you from trying these products.
Thanks, everyone!
Oh no! So sorry for your experience! I think it's fair to share your story as it's your review. I appreciate you sharing. I've used witch hazel in my hair when I was locing and a couple of times on my face but like you, I found it too drying. I have only tried black soap on my skin but I find all bar soaps drying so I avoid them.
ReplyDeleteHi, Kareen. Thanks. Sad it had to happen but I know now to avoid those products. Thanks for looking for me, Sis.
ReplyDeleteBummer! I'm sorry that turned out badly for you. Skin is sooo hard to figure out. Dry, Oily, Combination? I don't know what these words mean when I'm examining my face. I'm thinking about just going to a dermotologist once and for all.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Cherish. I will eventually have to take that step. But, it has been clearing up alot.
ReplyDeleteI have 2 suggestions for you. Perhaps you should try RAW Black soap meaning that it doesn't have all that extra stuff in it and lemon oil to help balance the oil on your skin out some. Now, the other thing is that your skin could actually be TOO dry and that could be what is causing the black heads rather than the whiteheads. I helped my daughter clear hers up with raw black soap, exfoliation, and a few drops of jojoba oil.
ReplyDeleteI think the problem is the authenticity of the soap. The name of the soap is 'Black Soap', it's color isn't necessarily black but it is supposed to be more on the dark brown side. Seeing as though the picture of soap you included shows a white bar, I'd say you weren't really using 'Black Soap'. I'm sorry your skin broke out the way it did. But if your using a product for the first time, especially on your face you should research the hell out of it before purchasing. A little more time on google & you would've known that that isn't how the soap should look. Regardless of the extra ingredients added.
ReplyDelete